Comments on: EK schools will be out of money by 2012http://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/
from the Mount Vernon NewsWed, 01 Feb 2012 18:58:00 +0000hourly1By: JoeBhttp://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/#comment-7324
Sun, 14 Nov 2010 22:30:51 +0000In this economy there should be no stone throwing about ‘no’ votes for a school levy. Education of our children emcompasses more than just the 3 R’s. We, as a community, are charged with ‘educating’ our children in how to survive and thrive in this life, and that includes showing good financial sense, especially in times of crisis. Would that I could take a vaction, buy a fancy car, etc. We’d all love to have the little extras in life. And, we’d love to shower our children with them. However, they need to learn that when the basics are all that can be covered….that’s all they are going to get. Perhaps this little exercise in 3-votes-down on East Knox levies has FINALLY emphasized to the school board and administrators that we in the community mean N-O, when we vote NO!
I am having to cut down, pare back – DO WITHOUT! It is rough, but I will survive; and, I have learned there are many extras I do not need. I will save more, spend less – and prepare for future disasters, like what we are all experiencing in one form or another with our economy. We are learning our lesson. Isn’t it time to pass this on to our children for their ‘education’ BEFORE the same thing happens to them???
Please, if you are a parent of a student, do not blame me for my NO vote. I have to eat, too. If you are a teacher, again, do not blame me for my NO vote. I have been directly affected by downsizing in this economy. I just DON’T have any more to give!
]]>By: Lynn Slonehttp://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/#comment-7269
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 03:48:07 +0000My husband and I live on a budget and we have to live within the budget no matter what. Our retirement nor our Social Security income will get a raise in 2011. However, our health insurance premiums are going up 13% (thanks to Obamacare) and our prescription co-pays are increasing. BUT, we have to ADJUST. I fully expect the school district to do the same.
]]>By: Lynn Slonehttp://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/#comment-7268
Sat, 13 Nov 2010 03:42:32 +0000East Knox MUST cut expenses to fit their budget. We taxpayers cannot afford to pay more into the school district no matter the outcome.

I reviewed the financial statements and spoke to the school treasurer who very kindly answered all my questions. However, the line item descriptions on the FS are so vague it is difficult to understand completely. I’m told the descriptions are mandated by OH and not EK.

The MTV News article lists extracurricular classes and NON-MANDATORY classes will be affected because the levy failed. Why in the name of common sense have they not already been cancelled?

Our community can afford to do only so much for the school system. Expenses must be reduced!

]]>By: c'monhttp://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/#comment-7251
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:03:31 +0000How can the county tax office “easily calculate that figure”??? How would Knox Co. know exactly? Do you voluntarily send them your W2 so they can have it on file? I don’t. What access do they have to IRS info?

If the levy campaign “did communicate that estimate to the public”, please inform us. How much?

I agree with the original poster. 1% was just downright greedy.

]]>By: Chris Wolfordhttp://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/#comment-7247
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:22:47 +0000I am taxpayer, property owner(East Knox District) and live on a budget, a budget that my husband and I can afford. When we run out of money or come up short we don’t run to our neighbors and ask if they can support our shortfall, because of poor management of funds, we just learn to do without and cut back even more. What made me disappointed and to vote down the tax levy this last time, is that East Knox made sure that every senior or 18 year old was registered to vote, how many of those that did register will be living and paying taxes in the school district? How many of those same students understand what a budget is and how to live on one? I am not accusing or being critical of their intelligence, but do they really know how the tax would have effected their parents income and property tax? When the levy failed in August, it was reported in the paper and right beside that same article East Knox was anxious and happy to inform the hiring of a new principal. Pay freezes for teachers, pay cuts, what do teachers think is happening to our seniors, they too are taking a cut, look what is happening to their Social Security Checks and for some this is their only means of income. So to take from that generation who did without and did live on budgets is an insult to their intelligence.
Ms. Poz, I will not bash you or any other teacher whether it be in East Knox and you are not the only teacher that has purchased supplies out of your own pocket and won’t be the last. There are bright students in all states and counties and will continue as long as their is life, so the guilt trip not going to happen.

East Knox Administration and Board please take a long look at your financials, and when you present them to the taxpayers you need to account for each and every penny.

]]>By: Mrs. Smithhttp://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/#comment-7238
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:12:08 +0000Your letter is filled with fallacies and misinformation – not to say, ignorance. But ignoring all that, let me focus on one easily answered question: “Do you really know how much 1% of each person’s income adds up to?” Yes, the county tax office can easily calculate that figure, and the levy campaign did communicate that estimate to the public. Pay attention to people who know what they are talking about – and ignore the ranters who know nothing!
]]>By: EK parenthttp://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/#comment-7234
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:46:42 +0000I cannot speak for the average home-schooled child, but the online schools are a different story, for example:

“- Hardware and Connectivity
… Ohio Connections Academy families will also receive the following:
One desktop computer and monitor per student
One color printer per household: The HP Color Deskjet printer comes with one ink cartridge…
Subsidy for Internet service: Each eligible household will receive $50.85 while actively enrolled at the time of disbursement….”

We had to buy used or refurbished computers, the amount and type of homework simply requires nowadays to have a PC at home.

“…OCA conducts dozens of field trips each year that bring classroom lessons to life …
We provide all-school trips that allow families with multiple students enrolled to participate as a family group…”

EK already cancelled ALL field trips!

Look it up online, it is all detailed. I wonder where all that money comes from!!!???

also, public schools are required by law to provide and pay for certain services, that private schools do not have to bother with, e.g. handicapped children or certain social services.

Good schools are a long term investment into our future, if we do not have good schools and good students long term, we will all have to pay for it. Our whole country will eventuyally suffer from it.
The better the education of these children, the better their incomes to pay for YOUR retirement!!!

]]>By: Juliehttp://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/#comment-7225
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 04:19:14 +0000well Poz,
No one doubts you’re a good teacher. But if you have to pay for something out of your pocket, hold a fund raiser or deduct it on your taxes as a business expense.

What everyone does know is East Knox wastes money.

Why is there a large flat screen tv in the middle school hallway? Also is the air conditioning still running in the middle school because no one knows how to turn it off??? Is the school district still paying a company $8000 – 12000 dollars to take pictures of school equipment for the insurance company? These types of expenses add up and are wasteful and I haven’t even scratched the surface.

If my electric bill is too high in the summer, I turn off my air conditioner. I don’t keep running it and then turn to my employers and tell them I need more money.

EK lost the income tax levy because they asked for WAY TOO much money. Do you really know how much 1% of each persons income adds up to? Neither does East Knox!!! It’s a whole lot of money. More money than the school needs. More money for the school to waste.

John Marschhausen got his new middle school built. He said there would be plenty of money to build and operate the school. Now we all know he lied. And not only did he lie, he bailed out on East Knox and went to another district.

I will NEVER vote yes on an East Knox school levy.

No amount of money will make the kids learn any faster or better. Home schooled children have NOTHING. No fancy gym, no fancy football field, no big screen tv in the hallway scrolling the announcements, and they are all smarter than children who attend public school.

Everyone needs to search Youtube for the documentary called “Stupid in America” and watch it.
It’s an eye opener. It gives plenty of examples of how schools waste money.

]]>By: Crystalhttp://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/#comment-7223
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 03:12:59 +0000Does EK have ‘pay to play’? Maybe all extracurriculars should have a fee attached. I know it’s not fair to kids from lower income families, but that is how Mount Vernon has done things for years.Tax payer money should be spent on quality education and building upkeep (though with new buildings there shouldnt be too much to worry about). I have a feeling Danville and East Knox will have to merge sometime in the future just to keep doors open.
]]>By: RebeccaCookhttp://mountvernonnews.com/blog/2010/11/11/ek-schools-will-be-out-of-money-by-2012/#comment-7222
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:49:17 +0000I love how we can all complain and blame yet, when given the opportunity, the community shut the school down and told the kids “NO we don’t care enough about you.” So many kids were hurt by how the voters voted. Tons of the students wrote on facebook how they literally felt neglected by their community and are scared for their education.

East Knox did not serve me well at my time spent there, BUT, with a new superintendent East Knox is trying to make a HUGE change for the better. If you want change and you want things to be better, you have to make an effort instead of sitting on your computer and crying about it.

All in all, lets try to build the community up instead of tear it down.